Method and Apparatus to Charge Power Assist Unit

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a power supply unit (PSU) and a power assist unit (PAU). The PSU provides a power rail to power a load, and a constant current indication that indicates whether the power supply unit is operating in a constant current mode. The PAU is coupled to the power rail, and includes a power storage element, a converter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail, and a controller. The controller receives an enable signal when the constant current indication indicates that the first power supply unit is operating in the constant current mode, and in response, the controller directs the converter to convert a voltage from the power storage element and to a current to the power rail to meet an additional demand of the load for power. When the controller does not receive the enable signal, the controller directs the converter to charge the power storage element from the power rail.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112326) entitled “Method and Apparatusto Provide Platform Power Peak Limiting based on Charge of Power AssistUnit,” filed of even date herewith, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112328) entitled “Method and Apparatusto Provide Dynamic Regulation of Power Assist Unit Output based onActive Profile,” filed of even date herewith, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112329) entitled “Method and Apparatusto Method and Apparatus for Providing High Bandwidth Capacitor Circuitin Power Assist Unit,” filed of even date herewith, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112330) entitled “Method and Apparatusfor Providing Smooth Power-On Operation with Power Assist Unit,” filedof even date herewith, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112331) entitled “Method and Apparatusto Control Power Assist Unit,” filed of even date herewith, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112333) entitled “Method and Apparatusfor Extending Power Hold-Up with Power Assist Unit,” filed of even dateherewith, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112334) entitled “Method and Apparatusfor Providing Peak Optimized Power Supply Unit,” filed of even dateherewith, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (DC-112336) entitled “Method and Apparatusto Distribute Current Indicator to Multiple End-Points,” filed of evendate herewith, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to information handling systems, andmore particularly relates to providing charging for a power assist unitin an information handling system.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Becausetechnology and information handling needs and requirements may varybetween different applications, information handling systems may alsovary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allow forinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing,reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardwareand software resources that may be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and may include one or more computer systems,data storage systems, and networking systems.

SUMMARY

An information handling system may include a power supply unit (PSU) anda power assist unit (PAU). The PSU may provide a power rail to power aload, and a constant current indication that indicates whether the powersupply unit is operating in a constant current mode. The PAU may becoupled to the power rail, and may include a power storage element, aconverter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail,and a controller. The controller may receive an enable signal when theconstant current indication indicates that the first power supply unitis operating in the constant current mode, and in response, thecontroller may direct the converter to convert a voltage from the powerstorage element and to a current to the power rail to meet an additionaldemand of the load for power. When the controller does not receive theenable signal, the controller may direct the converter to charge thepower storage element from the power rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information handling system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power control system including a powerassist unit for an information handling system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power supply system including a powerassist unit for an information handling system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of controlling a PAU.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings,and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other teachings can certainlybe used in this application. The teachings can also be used in otherapplications, and with several different types of architectures, such asdistributed computing architectures, client/server architectures, ormiddleware server architectures and associated resources.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an information handling system 100including processors 102 and 104, a chipset 110, a memory 120, agraphics adapter 130 connected to a video display 134, a non-volatileRAM (NV-RAM) 140 that includes a basic input and outputsystem/extensible firmware interface (BIOS/EFI) module 142, a diskcontroller 150, a hard disk drive (HDD) 154, an optical disk drive 156,a disk emulator 160 connected to a solid state drive (SSD) 164, aninput/output (I/O) interface 170 connected to an add-on resource 174 anda trusted platform module (TPM 176, a network interface 180, and abaseboard management controller (BMC) 190. Processor 102 is connected tochipset 110 via processor interface 106, and processor 104 is connectedto the chipset via processor interface 108. In a particular embodiment,processors 102 and 104 are connected together via a high-capacitycoherent fabric, such as a HyperTransport link, a QuickPathInterconnect, or the like.

Chipset 110 represents an integrated circuit or group of integratedcircuits that manages the data flows between processors 102 and 104 andthe other elements of information handling system 100. In a particularembodiment, chipset 110 represents a pair of integrated circuits, suchas a northbridge component and a southbridge component. In anotherembodiment, some or all of the functions and features of chipset 110 areintegrated with one or more of processors 102 and 104. Memory 120 isconnected to chipset 110 via a memory interface 122. An example ofmemory interface 122 includes a Double Data Rate (DDR) memory channeland memory 120 represents one or more DDR Dual In-Line Memory Modules(DIMMs). In a particular embodiment, memory interface 122 represents twoor more DDR channels. In another embodiment, one or more of processors102 and 104 include a memory interface that provides a dedicated memoryfor the processors. A DDR channel and the connected DDR DIMMs can be inaccordance with a particular DDR standard, such as a DDR3 standard, aDDR4 standard, a DDR5 standard, or the like. Memory 120 may furtherrepresent various combinations of memory types, such as Dynamic RandomAccess Memory (DRAM) DIMMs, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) DIMMs,non-volatile DIMMs (NV-DIMMs), storage class memory devices, Read-OnlyMemory (ROM) devices, or the like.

Graphics adapter 130 is connected to chipset 110 via a graphicsinterface 132, and provides a video display output 136 to a videodisplay 134. An example of a graphics interface 132 includes aPeripheral Component Interconnect-Express (PCIe) interface and graphicsadapter 130 can include a four lane (×4) PCIe adapter, an eight lane(×8) PCIe adapter, a 16-lane (×16) PCIe adapter, or anotherconfiguration, as needed or desired. In a particular embodiment,graphics adapter 130 is provided down on a system printed circuit board(PCB). Video display output 136 can include a Digital Video Interface(DVI), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a DisplayPortinterface, or the like, and video display 134 can include a monitor, asmart television, an embedded display such as a laptop computer display,or the like.

NV-RAM 140, disk controller 150, and I/O interface 170 are connected tochipset 110 via an I/O channel 112. An example of I/O channel 112includes one or more point-to-point PCIe links between chipset 110 andeach of NV-RAM 140, disk controller 150, and I/O interface 170. Chipset110 can also include one or more other I/O interfaces, including anIndustry Standard Architecture (ISA) interface, a Small Computer SerialInterface (SCSI) interface, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) interface,a System Packet Interface (SPI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB), anotherinterface, or a combination thereof. NV-RAM 140 includes BIOS/EFI module142 that stores machine-executable code (BIOS/EFI code) that operates todetect the resources of information handling system 100, to providedrivers for the resources, to initialize the resources, and to providecommon access mechanisms for the resources. The functions and featuresof BIOS/EFI module 142 will be further described below.

Disk controller 150 includes a disk interface 152 that connects the disccontroller to a hard disk drive (HDD) 154, to an optical disk drive(ODD) 156, and to disk emulator 160. An example of disk interface 152includes an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) such as a parallel ATA (PATA) interface or aserial ATA (SATA) interface, a SCSI interface, a USB interface, aproprietary interface, or a combination thereof. Disk emulator 160permits a solid-state drive (SSD) 164 to be connected to informationhandling system 100 via an external interface 162. An example ofexternal interface 162 includes a USB interface, an IEEE 1394 (Firewire)interface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof.Alternatively, solid-state drive 164 can be disposed within informationhandling system 100.

I/O interface 170 includes a peripheral interface 172 that connects theI/O interface to add-on resource 174, to TPM 176, and to networkinterface 180. Peripheral interface 172 can be the same type ofinterface as I/O channel 112, or can be a different type of interface.As such, I/O interface 170 extends the capacity of I/O channel 112 whenperipheral interface 172 and the I/O channel are of the same type, andthe I/O interface translates information from a format suitable to theI/O channel to a format suitable to the peripheral channel 172 when theyare of a different type. Add-on resource 174 can include a data storagesystem, an additional graphics interface, a network interface card(NIC), a sound/video processing card, another add-on resource, or acombination thereof. Add-on resource 174 can be on a main circuit board,on separate circuit board or add-in card disposed within informationhandling system 100, a device that is external to the informationhandling system, or a combination thereof.

Network interface 180 represents a network communication device disposedwithin information handling system 100, on a main circuit board of theinformation handling system, integrated onto another component such aschipset 110, in another suitable location, or a combination thereof.Network interface device 180 includes a network channel 182 thatprovides an interface to devices that are external to informationhandling system 100. In a particular embodiment, network channel 182 isof a different type than peripheral channel 172 and network interface180 translates information from a format suitable to the peripheralchannel to a format suitable to external devices. In a particularembodiment, network interface 180 includes a network interface card(NIC) or host bus adapter (HBA), and an example of network channel 182includes an InfiniBand channel, a Fibre Channel, a Gigabit Ethernetchannel, a proprietary channel architecture, or a combination thereof.In another embodiment, network interface 180 includes a wirelesscommunication interface, and network channel 182 includes a WiFichannel, a near-field communication (NFC) channel, a Bluetooth orBluetooth-Low-Energy (BLE) channel, a cellular based interface such as aGlobal System for Mobile (GSM) interface, a Code-Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) interface, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS) interface, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) interface, or anothercellular based interface, or a combination thereof. Network channel 182can be connected to an external network resource (not illustrated). Thenetwork resource can include another information handling system, a datastorage system, another network, a grid management system, anothersuitable resource, or a combination thereof.

BMC 190 is connected to multiple elements of information handling system100 via one or more management interface 192 to provide out of bandmonitoring, maintenance, and control of the elements of the informationhandling system. As such, BMC 190 represents a processing devicedifferent from processor 102 and processor 104, which provides variousmanagement functions for information handling system 100. For example,BMC 190 may be responsible for power management, cooling management, andthe like. The term baseboard management controller (BMC) is often usedin the context of server systems, while in a consumer-level device a BMCmay be referred to as an embedded controller (EC). A BMC included at adata storage system can be referred to as a storage enclosure processor.A BMC included at a chassis of a blade server can be referred to as achassis management controller and embedded controllers included at theblades of the blade server can be referred to as blade managementcontrollers. Capabilities and functions provided by BMC 180 can varyconsiderably based on the type of information handling system. BMC 190can operate in accordance with an Intelligent Platform ManagementInterface (IPMI). Examples of BMC 190 include an Integrated Dell RemoteAccess Controller (iDRAC). Management interface 192 represents one ormore out-of-band communication interfaces between BMC 190 and theelements of information handling system 100, and can include anInter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus, a System Management Bus (SMBUS), aPower Management Bus (PMBUS), a Low Pin Count (LPC) interface, a serialbus such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or a Serial PeripheralInterface (SPI), a network interface such as an Ethernet interface, ahigh-speed serial data link such as a Peripheral ComponentInterconnect-Express (PCIe) interface, a Network Controller SidebandInterface (NC-SI), or the like. As used herein, out-of-band accessrefers to operations performed apart from a BIOS/operating systemexecution environment on information handling system 100, that is apartfrom the execution of code by processors 102 and 104 and procedures thatare implemented on the information handling system in response to theexecuted code.

BMC 190 operates to monitor and maintain system firmware, such as codestored in BIOS/EFI module 142, option ROMs for graphics interface 130,disk controller 150, add-on resource 174, network interface 180, orother elements of information handling system 100, as needed or desired.In particular, BMC 190 includes a network interface 194 that can beconnected to a remote management system to receive firmware updates, asneeded or desired. Here, BMC 190 receives the firmware updates, storesthe updates to a data storage device associated with the BMC, transfersthe firmware updates to NV-RAM of the device or system that is thesubject of the firmware update, thereby replacing the currentlyoperating firmware associated with the device or system, and rebootsinformation handling system, whereupon the device or system utilizes theupdated firmware image. BMC 190 utilizes various protocols andapplication programming interfaces (APIs) to direct and control theprocesses for monitoring and maintaining the system firmware. An exampleof a protocol or API for monitoring and maintaining the system firmwareincludes a graphical user interface (GUI) GUI associated with BMC 190,an interface defined by the Distributed Management Taskforce (DMTF)(such as a Web Services Management (WS-MAN) interface, a ManagementComponent Transport Protocol (MCTP) or, a Redfish interface), variousvendor defined interfaces (such as a Dell EMC Remote Access ControllerAdministrator (RACADM) utility, a Dell EMC OpenManage ServerAdministrator (OMSS) utility, a Dell EMC OpenManage Storage Services(OMSS) utility, or a Dell EMC OpenManage Deployment Toolkit (DTK)suite), a BIOS setup utility such as invoked by a “F2” boot option, oranother protocol or API, as needed or desired.

In a particular embodiment, BMC 190 is included on a main circuit board(such as a baseboard, a motherboard, or any combination thereof) ofinformation handling system 100, or is integrated onto another elementof the information handling system such as chipset 110, or anothersuitable element, as needed or desired. As such, BMC 190 can be part ofan integrated circuit or a chip set within information handling system100. An example of BMC 190 includes an integrated Dell remote accesscontroller (iDRAC), or the like. BMC 190 may operate on a separate powerplane from other resources in information handling system 100. Thus BMC190 can communicate with the management system via network interface 194while the resources of information handling system 100 are powered off.Here, information can be sent from the management system to BMC 190 andthe information can be stored in a RAM or NV-RAM associated with theBMC. Information stored in the RAM may be lost after power-down of thepower plane for BMC 190, while information stored in the NV-RAM may besaved through a power-down/power-up cycle of the power plane for theBMC.

In a typical usage case, information handling system 100 represents anenterprise class processing system, such as may be found in a datacenteror other compute-intense processing environment. Here, system powerloads can be extreme, not only in terms of total power consumed, butalso in terms of peak power demand, rapid power demand level changes,power fault tolerance, voltage level hold-up and voltage level changesfor emergency power-down operations, and other dynamic power states. Assuch, the typical information handling system includes a powermanagement system to communicate and manage the various power states andchanges as needed. A power system for an information handling caninclude power supply units (PSUs) that provide one or more voltage railsfor the information handling system, CPU voltage regulators (VRs) tomanage the more demanding power loads unique to the CPUs of theinformation handling system, and other logic and control elements asneeded or desired.

As the demands of a power system for an information handling systemincrease, an information handling system may employ a power assist unit(PAU) coupled between the PSUs and the various loads of the informationhandling system, including the CPU VRs, to provide voltage rail supportand peak demand current to the loads, and that are located nearer to theloads to provide cleaner and faster voltage rail support and peak demandcurrent. In particular, prior solutions would typically provide largerPSUs to maintain voltage rail levels and supply peak current demands,and would provide a large number of capacitors close to the loadelements to ensure quick response to the changing power demands of theloads. The addition of a PAU enables a middle path to ensuring powerstability and capacity by providing a power storage element and controllogic to couple the power storage element to the voltage rails as theloads increase. Then, when the loads decrease, the power storage elementcan be recharged to maintain readiness for a next load increase.

The control logic for a PAU can be programmable to provide differentvoltage level support and peak current support as needed or desired. Forexample, an information handling system may include more than one PAU,each being configured to meet the unique needs of different portions ofthe loads of the information handling system. Further, the control logiccan provide different voltage and current regulation schemes fordifferent load conditions or system operating states. For example, a PAUcan be configured to provide support for power during demand spikes fromthe loads, to provide different regulation schemes in different platformload states, to assist in power hold-up during emergency power-downconditions, to buffer the power demands on the PSUs to avoid unnecessarycycling of off-duty PSUs, to smooth the power transitions when switchingPSUs from off-duty to on-duty and vice versa, of provide differentvoltage and current regulation schemes for other load conditions orsystem operating states as needed or desired. Moreover, the controllogic can provide different charging schemes and charging rates basedupon various system states or conditions. For example, a PAU can beconfigured to provide different charge rates based upon an inventory ofthe loads of the information handling system, based upon dynamic powerconsumption and load conditions, based upon power caps imposed byhardware limits or management systems, as needed or desired.

FIG. 2 illustrates a power control system 200 for an informationhandling system similar to information handling system 100. Powercontrol system 200 includes one or more PSU 202, a current monitorcombiner 206, a system current monitor splitter 208, one or more PAU210, one or more CPU VR 214, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD)218, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) interface multiplexor (I2C MUX)220, a baseboard management controller (BMC) 222, one or more CPU 228,one or more PCIe adapter 230, another system current monitor splitter232, and one or more Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) interface 234.It will be understood that power control system 200 is representative ofthe various monitoring, management, and control aspects of an overallpower system for an information handling system, and that FIG. 2 is notintended to show the actual power distribution network of the subjectinformation handling system. A simplified power supply system is shownin FIG. 3, as described further, below.

PSU 202 represents a switching power converter device that receivesinput power (typically an alternating current (AC) power line input) andprovides one or more output voltage rails (typically direct currentpower rails). PSU 202 is configurable to operate in various operatingmodes, such as a standby mode, a normal power mode, and a constantcurrent mode. Further, based upon various platform power states enactedon the information handling system, one or more of the voltage rails maybe powered on while other power rails are powered off. As such, PSU 202includes an I2C interface that is connected via I2C MUX 220 to BMC 222and that permits the communication of various status and configurationinformation to the BMC and the receipt of various control informationfrom the BMC, as described further below. In addition, PSU 202 providesvarious hardware status signals to power control system 200. Suchhardware status signals may include various bi-state signals, such as anover-current warning (OCW), as provided by an OCW module 204, a power-oksignal (POK), a constant current (CC) signal, an input voltage status(Vin_Good) signal, a System Management Bus (SMB) alert (SMB_ALERT)signal, or other bi-state status signals, as needed or desired. Thehardware status signals may also include various analog signals such asa PSU current level (PSU_IMON) signal, or other analog signals, asneeded or desired. The SMB_ALERT signal is provided to CPLD 218 inresponse to an over-current warning provided by OCW module 204, asdescribed further below.

In a particular embodiment, the PSU_IMON signal is a voltage levelsignal, such as where PSU 202 provides a current sense resistor in amain power source, and where the PSU_IMON signal is representative ofthe voltage across the sense resistor. In another embodiment, thePSU_IMON signal is a current level signal, such as where PSU 202provides a current follower circuit whose output current is based uponthe current of the main power source. In either embodiment, currentmonitor combiner 206 operates to receive the PSU current level(PSU_IMON) signal from PSU 202 and other PSU current level signals fromthe one or more additional PSUs of power control system 200, and tocombine the PSU current level signals to provide a system current level(Sys_IMON) signal. For example, where the PSU_IMON signals are voltagelevel signals, the Sys_IMON signal can be provided as an output of avoltage adder circuit such that the Sys_IMON voltage is proportional tothe sum of the PSU_IMON voltages. In another example, where the PSU_IMONsignals are current level signals, the Sys_IMON signal can be providedas an output of a current adder circuit such that the Sys_IMON currentis proportional to the sum of the PSU_IMON currents. It will beunderstood that where a particular PSU is dedicated to providing powerfor a particular portion of an information handling system, such as asub-system of the information handling system, that a current monitorcombiner similar to current monitor combiner 206 may be utilized toprovide a current level signal for the portion or sub-system of theinformation handling system, as needed or desired. Note that theSys_IMON signal is indicative of a total amount of current beingprovided by PSU 202 and the one or more additional PSUs, and should notbe confused with a total current being provided to a load of theinformation handling system. In particular, PAU 210 alternativelyprovides current to the load, or receives current from PSU 202 and theone or more additional PSUs to charge a power storage device of the PAU,as described further, below. As such, the total current being providedto the load will either be greater than the current indicated by theSys_IMON signal (when PAU 210 provides current to the load), or lessthan the current indicated by the Sys_IMON signal (when the PAU receivescurrent to charge the power storage device).

In a typical information handling system, the Sys_IMON signal isreceived by CPU VR 214 as a current proportional signal, and the CPU VRconditions the power provided to CPU 226 based upon the Sys_IMON signal.For example, CPU VR 214 can determine that PSU 202 is providing lessthan a fully rated power level to the information handling system, andin response, the CPU VR can increase a voltage level to CPU 226 toincrease the performance of the CPU, thereby utilizing more of the powercapacity of PSU 202. In another example, CPU VR 214 can determine thatPSU 202 is providing at or near the fully rated power level to theinformation handling system, and in response, the CPU VR can decreasethe voltage level to CPU 226 to decrease the performance of the CPU,thereby reducing the power utilization of PSU 202. In a typical case,memory devices of the information handling system, such as one or moreDual In-line Memory Modules (DIMMs) may share a power rail with CPU 226,and thus the Sys_IMON signal can be utilized to optimize the powerconsumption of the memory devices. As such, the Sys_IMON signal isutilized in power control system 200 to prospectively inform CPU VR 214of power conditions on the information handling system, such that theCPU VR can proactively respond to the power conditions to better utilizePSU 202. CPU VR 214 provides information as to the status and operationof the CPU VR (CPU_Inf) to CPU 226, such that the CPU can condition theprocessing operations of the CPU upon the information, as needed ordesired. CPU VR 214 further includes an I2C interface that is connectedvia I2C MUX 220 to BMC 222 and that permits the communication of variousstatus and configuration information to the BMC and the receipt ofvarious control information from the BMC, as described further below. Inaddition, CPU VR 214 provides an over-current alert (ALERT #), asprovided by an OCW module 216 to CPLD 218, as described further below.

In the present embodiment, power control system 200 provides theSys_IMON signal to PAU 210, to PCIe adapter 230, to NVMe interface 234,and to other elements of the information handling system, so that thePAU, the PCIe adapter, the NVMe interface and the other elements of theinformation handling system may prospectively be informed of the powerconditions on the information handling system, and can proactivelyrespond to the power conditions to better utilize PSU 202. However,because the Sys_IMON signal is a current proportional signal, theSys_IMON signal cannot be fanned out to PAU 210, to PCIe adapter 230, toNVMe interface 234, and to other elements of the information handlingsystem directly. Instead, the Sys_IMON signal from current monitorcombiner 206 is provided to system current monitor splitter 208 togenerate multiple copies of the Sys-IMON signal. In particular, systemcurrent monitor splitter 208 provides individual copies of the Sys_IMONsignal to CPU VR 214, to PAU 210, and to system current monitor splitter232. Further, system current monitor splitter 232 provides individualcopies of the Sys_IMON signal to PCIe adapter 230 and to NVMe interface234. For example system current monitor splitters 208 and 232 canutilize current mirror circuits that generate one or more mirroredcurrent signal outputs based upon a received current signal input. CPUVR 214 is typically provided in conjunction with or by a manufacturer ofCPU 226. As such, the requirements associated with the Sys_IMON signalare typically defined by a specification for CPU VRs that may bepublished by the manufacturer of the CPU. For example, the Sys_IMONsignal may be analogous to various system level power signals asspecified in various specifications published by one or moremicroprocessor manufacturer. Here, each device of power control system200 that receives Sys_IMON will be understood to be in compliance withthe particular CPU VR specification.

CPLD 218 represents a programmable device that provides various logicfunctions for the information handling system that utilizes powercontrol system 200. In particular, CPLD 218 includes multiple generalpurpose I/O (GPIOs) and is programmed to provide various relationsbetween the signals received on the GPIOs and the signals provided onthe GPIOs. As such, CPLD 218 is configured to receive the SMB_ALERTsignal from PSU 202, the ALERT # signal from CPU VR 218, and a PAUcritical charge level indication (PAU_Critical_Charge) from PAU 210, asdescribed further below. CPLD 218 is further configured to provide a PAUcharge enable signal (PAU_Charge_Enable) to PAU 210, a processorover-temperature signal (PROCHOT #) to CPU 226, and power brake (BRAKE)signals to PCIe adapter 230 (B30), and NVMe interface 234 (UI), asdescribed further below.

PCIe adapter 230 represents one or more PCIe root ports and endpointdevices of the information handling system that includes power controlsystem 200. In a particular embodiment, the Sys_IMON signal is receivedby PCIe adapter 230 as a current proportional signal as split bySys_IMON splitter 232. In another embodiment, where PCIe adapter 230 isconfigured to receive a voltage proportional signal, the Sys_IMON signalis converted into the voltage proportional signal, such as by includinga to convert the current proportional signal to the voltage proportionalsignal. In either case, PCI adapter 230 conditions its power profilebased upon the Sys_IMON signal. For example, PCIe adapter 230 candetermine that PSU 202 is providing less than a fully rated power levelto the information handling system, and in response, the PCIe adaptercan increase its performance, thereby utilizing more of the powercapacity of PSU 202. In another example, PCIe adapter 230 can determinethat PSU 202 is providing at or near the fully rated power level to theinformation handling system, and in response, the PCIe adapter candecrease its performance, thereby reducing the power utilization of PSU202. PCIe adapter 230 further includes an I2C interface that isconnected via I2C MUX 220 to BMC 222 and that permits the communicationof various status and configuration information to the BMC and thereceipt of various control information from the BMC, as describedfurther below. It will be understood that PCIe adapter 230 may representtwo or more PCIe adapters that each receive a separate Sys_IMON signalfrom Sys_IMON splitter 232, as needed or desired.

NVMe interface 234 represents one or more non-volatile memory controllerof the information handling system that includes power control system200. In a particular embodiment, the Sys_IMON signal is received by NVMeinterface 234 as a current proportional signal as split by Sys_IMONsplitter 232. In another embodiment, where NVMe interface 234 isconfigured to receive a voltage proportional signal, the Sys_IMON signalis converted into the voltage proportional signal, such as by includinga to convert the current proportional signal to the voltage proportionalsignal. In either case, NVMe interface 234 can determine that PSU 202 isproviding less than a fully rated power level to the informationhandling system, and in response, the NVMe interface can increase itsperformance, thereby utilizing more of the power capacity of PSU 202. Inanother example, NVMe interface 234 can determine that PSU 202 isproviding at or near the fully rated power level to the informationhandling system, and in response, the NVMe interface can decrease itsperformance, thereby reducing the power utilization of PSU 202. NVMeinterface 230 further includes an I2C interface that is connected viaI2C MUX 220 to BMC 222 and that permits the communication of variousstatus and configuration information to the BMC and the receipt ofvarious control information from the BMC, as described further below. Itwill be understood that NVMe interface 234 may represent two or moreNVMe interfaces that each receive a separate Sys_IMON signal fromSys_IMON splitter 232, as needed or desired. It will be furtherunderstood that the I2C interface of NVMe interface may share a commonI2C bus with the I2C interface of PCIe adapter 230. Further, it will beunderstood that power management system 200 may include one or moreadditional subsystem, such as a network interface device (NIC), astorage adapter, or another subsystem of an information handling systemthat may receive the Sys_IMON signal and adapt the performance of thesubsystem accordingly, as needed or desired.

PAU 210 is a power source that is connected between PSU 202 and theloads of the information handling system, as shown and describe withrespect to FIG. 3, below, to provide cleaner and faster voltage railsupport and peak demand current to the loads of the information handlingsystem. PAU 210 includes control logic, as shown and described withrespect to FIGS. 3-5, below, to provide different voltage level supportand peak current support as needed or desired. For example, aninformation handling system may include more than one PAU, each beingconfigured to meet the unique needs of different portions of the loadsof the information handling system. Further, the control logic canprovide different voltage and current regulation schemes for differentload conditions or system operating states. For example, PAU 210receives the Sys_IMON signal from Syis IMON splitter 201 and providessupport for power during demand spikes from the loads, as describedfurther below. PAU 210 also receives various control, state, and statussignals, shown here as a (Misc_Control) signal, and provides differentregulation schemes in different platform load states. PAU 210 alsoassists in power hold-up during emergency power-down conditions, buffersthe power demands on PSU 202 to avoid unnecessary cycling of off-dutyPSUs, and smooths the power transitions when switching PSUs fromoff-duty to on-duty and vice versa. PAU 210 provides different voltageand current regulation schemes for other load conditions or systemoperating states as needed or desired. Moreover, PAU 210 providesdifferent charging schemes and charging rates based upon various systemstates or conditions. For example, PAU 210 can be configured to providedifferent charge rates based upon an inventory of the components of theinformation handling system and known or assumed loads of the loads ofthe components, based upon a measurement of the dynamic powerconsumption and load conditions, based upon power caps imposed byhardware limits or management systems, as needed or desired. PAU 210further includes an I2C interface that is connected via I2C MUX 220 toBMC 222 and that permits the communication of various status andconfiguration information to the BMC and the receipt of various controlinformation from the BMC, as described further below. PAU 210 providesthe PAU_Critical_Charge signal to CPLD 218 and receives thePAU_Charge_Enable signal from the CPLD. Finally, PAU 210 includes acharger 212 that provides a charge status indication (PAU_Charge) to BMC222, as described further below. In general, PAU 210 operates with thegoal to maintain PSU 202 and the one or more additional PSUs to operateat 100% of their rated operating current. Thus, when the PSUs are alloperating at 100% rated operating current level, then, when loadconditions increase, PAU 210 operates to provide current to the loadthat would otherwise be provided in a peak current supply condition bythe PSUs, that is, PAU 210 operates to provide current to feed thedemand of spikes in the load. Further, when the PSUs are all operatingat 100% rated operating current level, then, when load conditionsdecrease, PAU 210 operates to draw current from the PSUs to recharge thepower storage device. As such, in an optimal case, the PSUs all operateat 100% of their rated operating current level at all times, and allcurrent peaks in the demand of the load are supplied by PAU 210, and allcurrent drops in the demand of the load are absorbed by the PAU torecharge the power storage device.

I2C MUX 220 operates to multiplex I2C busses from PSU 204, PAU 210, CPUVR 214, CPU 226, PCIe adapters 230, and NVMe interface 234 to an I2Cinterface of BMC 222. Here, BMC 222 operates to monitor, manage, andmaintain the operations of PSU 204, PAU 210, CPU VR 214, CPU 226, PCIeadapters 230, and NVMe interface 234 via communications over the variousI2C busses. In particular, BMC 222 may include a processor that runsmanagement code to perform the functions of the BMC, and may furtherinclude a co-processor that, under the direction of the management code,offloads the BMC processor from various repetitive tasks, such as I2Cservice routines. It will be understood that the configuration of theI2C busses and I2C MUX 220 are exemplary, and that the informationhandling system that utilizes power control system 200 may employ an I2Cbus configuration that is different than the one shown herein. Moreover,it will be understood that the communications between BMC 222 and PSU204, PAU 210, CPU VR 214, CPU 226, PCIe adapters 230, and NVMe interface234 may be via other communication standards, as needed or desired. Forexample, the communication between BMC 222 and CPU 226 may be channeledvia an I2C bus to a Platform Controller Hub (PCH) that is incommunication with the CPU, or the BMC may communicate directly with theCPU via a Platform Environment Control Interface (PECI), as needed ordesired.

In operation, power control system 200 provides three mechanisms forcontrolling the flow of power to the loads of the information handlingsystem that includes the power control system: a hardware protectionmechanism as shown by the dashed signal lines, a fast firmware controlloop as shown by the dotted signal lines, and a slow firmware controlloop as shown by the solid signal lines. The hardware control mechanismis the fastest control mechanism and is primarily controlled by CPLD218. Further, the hardware control mechanism provides a coarsestresponse, such as by applying a maximum throttling to the operations ofthe information handling system, and thus degrades performance more thatthe fast or slow firmware control loops. Here, CPLD 218 receives theSMB_ALERT signal from PSU 202, the PAU_Charge_Critical signal from PAU210, and the ALERT # signal from CPU VR 214. These signals each providean indication that the respective sending element is in a critical loadcondition. For PSU 202 and CPU VR 216, the critical load conditionsrepresent the fact that the PSU or the CPU VR are at a maximum loadingand can supply no further current to their respective loads, leading toa potential voltage drop on one or more of their power rails. For PAU210, the critical load condition, as indicated by the assertion of thePAU_Charge_Critical signal, represents the fact that a power storageelement of the PAU has been discharged to a critical level, such thatthe PAU is no longer able to provide power to the various voltage railsas needed. When CPLD 218 receives one or more of the critical loadcondition signals, the CPLD provides the PROCHOT # signal to CPU 226. Inresponse, CPU 226 takes actions to lower the power consumption of theCPU, such as by lowering a performance state of the CPU by lowering anoperating frequency or an operating voltage of the CPU, or shutting downinternal units of the CPU, as needed or desired. CPLD 218 furtherresponds to one or more of the critical load condition signals byproviding the BRAKE signal to PCIe adapter 230 and NVMe interface 234.In response, PCIe adapter 230 and NVMe interface 234 take actions tolower their power consumption. The particular steps taken by a CPU, aPCIe adapter or device, or a NVMe interface to lower their respectivepower consumption are known in the art and are beyond the scope of thepresent disclosure, and will be described no further herein except asneeded to further describe the present embodiments. Finally, when CPLD218 is receiving no critical load condition signal, the CPLD providesthe PAU_Charge_Enable signal to PAU 210 to indicate that no other deviceof power control system 200 is in a critical load condition, and thatthe PAU can opportunistically charge its storage device as needed. Notethat the control of PAU 210 may be provided by CPLD 218 based upon theexact conditions of the critical load condition. For example, if theSMB_ALERT signal is asserted, then CPLD 218 can assert the BRAKE signaland de-assert the PROCHOT # an PAU_Charge_Enable signals, while if thePAU_Charge_Critical signal is asserted, the CPLD can assert the BRAKEsignal and de-assert the PROCHOT # signal, but can also keep thePAU_Charge_Enable signal asserted in order to permit PAU 210 torecharge. Note further that other hardware power control signals may beprovided in a typical information handling system and that may make upother functions of the hardware protection mechanism. For example, aparticular architecture may include a MEMHOT # or EVENT # signal formemory components. Other hardware based power control signals may beprovided on other architectures, and such signals will be understood tobe included in a hardware protection mechanism, as needed or desired.Further, the distinction between the hardware protection mechanism andthe fast and slow firmware control loops is not intended to beexclusive. For example, a CPLD may further operate in response to acritical load condition to provide an interrupt to a BMC, and the BMCmay then apply specific firmware-based controls in response.

The fast firmware control loop consists of the PSU_IMON signal and thedistributed Sys_IMON signals. Here, CPU VR 214, PCIe adapter 230, andNVMe interface 234 respond to variations in the system current level, asindicated by the Sys_IMON signal, as described above. In a particularembodiment, PAU 210 receives the Sys_IMON signal and operates to providecurrent to the loads of the information handling system when the systemcurrent level exceeds a particular threshold. In another embodiment, PAU210 monitors a voltage level of a particular voltage rail, and when thevoltage drops below a threshold level, the PAU provides current tosustain the voltage rail at a voltage level above the threshold level.It will be understood that control of PAU 210 based upon the systemcurrent level may provide a quicker indication of the onset of a voltagedrop condition than control based upon the voltage level, and so maypresent a more desirable solution. In yet another embodiment, PAU 210operates based upon both the system current level and the voltage levelsof the various voltage rails.

The slow firmware control loop consists primarily of the I2C interfaces,through which BMC 222 operates to monitor, manage, and maintain PSU 202,PAU 210, CPU VR 214, CPU 226, PCIe adapter 230, and NVMe interface 234,and the various control, state, and status (Misc_Control) signalsreceived by PAU 210. The slow firmware control loop provides differentregulation schemes in different platform load states, such as duringemergency power-down conditions, PSU on-duty/off-duty cycling or otherload conditions or system operating states as needed or desired.Moreover, the slow firmware control loop provides different PAU chargingschemes and charging rates based upon various system states orconditions.

FIG. 3 illustrates a power supply system 300 including PSUs 310 and 320,a load 330, a current reference 340, PAU enable logic 342, and a PAU 350similar to PAU 210. PSUs 310 and 320 each include an AC power feed toreceive power from a power distribution system, and operate to provideone or more regulated output voltage (Vbus+) to load 330. PSUs 310 and320 also each provide an input power-ok (POK) signal that indicates thatthe power on the AC power feed is good, a constant current (CC) signalthat indicates that the respective PSU is operating at a maximum ratedcurrent, and a PSU IMON signal that indicates the amount of currentbeing supplied by the respective PSU. In a particular embodiment, one ormore of the CC and POK signals are provided by a GPIO of PSUs 210 and220. The PSU_IMON signals are current-level signals that areproportional to the current supplied by the respective PSUs. ThePSU_IMON signals are summed and provided as an input to currentreference 340 that provides a Sys_IMON signal output to PAU 350. In aparticular embodiment, the Sys_IMON signal is the average of theindividual PSU_IMON signals.

PAU enable logic 342 receives the POK and CC signals from PSUs 310 and320, and provides an enable (PAU Enable) signal to PAU 350. In aparticular embodiment, the POK signals are provided to the inputs of afirst AND-gate, and the CC signals are provided to the inputs of asecond AND-gate. The outputs of the first and second AND-gates areprovided to the inputs of a third AND-gate. The output of the thirdAND-gate provides the PAU Enable signal. Thus, in this embodiment, thePAU Enable signal ensures that PAU 250 is not activated unless both PSUs210 and 220 are operating at a full capacity, as indicated by theirrespective CC signals. Thus, when one or both PSUs 210 and 220 are notoperating at their full capacity, PAU 250 will not provide current toload 230, thereby permitting any additional demand from the load to beprovided by the PSUs. Further, the PAU Enable signal ensures that PAU250 is not activated unless both PSUs 210 and 220 are receiving goodpower on its respective AC power feed. Other mechanisms for providing aPAU Enable signal may be utilized as needed or desired.

PAU 350 includes a power converter 352, a power storage element 354, anda controller 356. Power converter 352 operates in a first mode toreceive electrical power from power storage element 354 and providesregulated current to load 330 in parallel with the regulated poweroutputs (Vbus+) of PSUs 210 and 220, as directed by controller 356. In asecond mode, power converter 352 operates to receive power from theregulated power outputs (Vbus+) of the PSUs 210 and 220 to charge powerstorage element 354. In a particular embodiment, converter 352represents a switching power supply circuit that is driven by a pulsewidth modulated input signal from controller 356. Generally, when thePSU Enable signal is asserted, then controller 356 drives converter 354to provide current based upon the current level indicated by theSys_IMON signal. When the PSU Enable signal is de-asserted, thencontroller 356 drives converter 354 to maintain a voltage level at orslightly below the voltage level of the regulated power outputs (Vbus+)of PSUs 210 and 220. For example, where the regulated power output(Vbus+) is 12V, then, if controller 356 drives converter 354 to maintaina voltage level at 11.5V, then PAU 250 can be placed into the secondcharging mode. Further, the charge rate can be determined based upon thestate of the Sys_IMON signal, such that, when the Sys_IMON signalindicates that the average current drawn by load 330 is low, then PAU250 can be in a high charge rate state of the charging mode, while whenthe Sys_IMON signal indicates that the average current drawn by load 330is high, then PAU 250 can be in a low charge rate state of the chargingmode. Power storage element 354 represents a rechargeable power source,such as a supercapacitor, a rechargeable battery, or anotherrechargeable power source as needed or desired. In a particularembodiment, controller 356 implements a programmable Sys_IMON threshold.Here, a BMC can communicate with PAU 350 via an I2C interface and canset a Sys_IMON threshold level such that controller 356 switches to themode to provide regulated current to load 330 when the Sys_IMON signalis above the Sys_IMON threshold.

It will be noted that PSUs 210 and 220 typically provide power on two ormore voltage rails at different voltage levels supply differentsub-systems of the information handling system that includes powersupply system 300. In a particular embodiment, power supply system 300includes separate current references similar to current reference 340,separate PAU enable logics similar to PAU enable logic 342, and separatePAUs similar to PAU 350 for each voltage rail. In another embodiment,power supply system 300 includes separate current references similar tocurrent reference 340 and separate PAU enable logics similar to PAUenable logic 342, but a single PAU includes a separate converter similarto converter 354 and a separate controller similar to controller 356 foreach voltage rail. Here, the PAU can also include a single power storageelement similar to power storage element 354 that powers each converter,or the PAU can include separate power storage elements for eachconverter.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 of controlling a power assist unitstarting at decision block 402 where a determination is made as towhether or not a Sys_IMON signal for a power control system indicatesthat the associated information handling system is operating at lessthan 100% current level. If so, the “YES” branch of decision block 402is taken, a PAU of the power control system operates in a voltage sourcemode in block 404, and the method continues to loop back to decisionblock 402 until the information handling system begins to operate atgreater than 100% current level. Here, in an exemplary case, the PAUoperates as a voltage source at 11.5 V and the PAU can charge up thepower storage element in the voltage source mode. When the Sys_IMONsignal indicates that the associated information handling system is notoperating at less than 100% current level, that is, that the informationhandling system is operating at greater than the 100% current level, the“NO” branch of decision block 402 is taken and a decision is made as towhether or not the Sys_IMON signal indicates that the associatedinformation handling system is operating at greater than apre-determined current level (here shown at an exemplary 140% currentlevel) in decision block 406. If not, the “NO” branch of decision block406 is taken and a decision is made as to whether or not one of acounter times out or an OCW indication is given by a PSU of the powercontrol system in decision block 410. For example, a controller for aPSU may wait for 5 milli-seconds (ms) before changing from the voltagesource mode in order to permit the PSUs to handle shorter peak loadsbefore engaging the operation of the PAU. If neither a counter times outnor an OCW indication is given, the “NO” branch of decision block 410 istaken and the method continues to loop back to decision block 402 untilthe information handling system begins to operate at greater than 100%current level.

If either the counter times out or the OCW indication is given, the“YES” branch of decision block 410 is taken and the method proceeds toblock 414, as described further below. Returning to decision block 406,if the Sys_IMON signal indicates that the associated informationhandling system is operating at greater than the pre-determined currentlevel, the “YES” branch is taken, and the PAU is operated in a currentsource mode in block 408, and the method proceeds to decision block 412.In decision block 412, a decision is made as to whether or not one ofanother timer times out or the voltage rail drops below a thresholdvoltage level. If neither the second counter times out nor the voltagerail drops below the threshold voltage level, the “NO” branch ofdecision block 412 is taken and the method continues to loop back todecision block 402 until the information handling system begins tooperate at greater than 100% current level. For example, the controllerof the PSU may wait for 5 ms before changing from the high-currentsource mode in order to permit the PAUs to handle the peak loads beforedisengaging operation and resuming operation of the PAU. If either thesecond counter times out nor the voltage rail drops below the thresholdvoltage level, the “YES” branch of decision block 412 is taken, the PAUis operated in the current source mode in block 414, and the methodcontinues to loop back to decision block 402 until the informationhandling system begins to operate at greater than 100% current level.

In a particular embodiment, a power supply system similar to powersupply system 300 includes two or more PAUs that support a commonvoltage rail, where each PAU is physically located proximate to aparticular load on a printed circuit board of an information handlingsystem. For example, a separate PAU may be dedicated to each one of twoor more processors of the information handling system. In anotherexample, a first PAU may be dedicated to the one or more processors ofthe information handling system, while a second PAU may be dedicated toother loads of the information handling system. In either example, theseparate PAUs can be physically co-located with the particular load thatthey are intended to support. Here, each PAU supports the implementationof different control schemes for charging and discharging theirrespective power storage elements. For example, the triggeringconditions (such as enable signal conditions, Sys_IMON triggerthresholds, and the like) for providing current support on each PAU mydiffer, as may discharge thresholds (such as minimum charge levels to bemaintained in order to provide current support), discharge rates, andthe like. Moreover, the operational characteristics of a PAU may bebased upon the type of triggering event or charging environment. Forexample, the discharge characteristics may differ in a PAU based uponwhether the triggering event is hardware based, fast firmware controlloop based, or slow firmware control loop based. In another example, thecharging characteristics may differ in a PAU based upon similarconsiderations as the discharging characteristics. Thus, it will beunderstood that a PAU is programmable and the particular operationalcharacteristics of a PAU can be configured as needed or desired to meetthe needs of the particular information handling system. As such, itwill be further understood that a PAU may include an embeddedcontroller, logic state-machine, programmable array, or the like thatprovides for the programmability of the PAU, for example by a BMC of theinformation handling system over an I2C or other data interface. Thespecifics of providing embedded control are known in the art and willnot be further disclosed herein except as needed to illustrate thepresent embodiments.

In a particular embodiment, a PAU similar to PAUs 210 and 350 providesactive control of the charge rate of the power storage element. Forexample, by monitoring the Sys_IMON signal, a PAU can determine toprovide more charging to the power storage element when the systemcurrent is low and provide less charging to the power storage elementwhen the system current is higher. In another example, a BMC canconfigure the PAU charge rate over an I2C or other data interface, basedupon conditions of the information handling system that are not directlyrelated to the current state of the Sys_IMON signal. Here, based uponout of band management of the information handling system, the BMC mayknow that a time based event that changes the processing load of theinformation handling system is about to occur, and can therefore directthe PAU to charge at a rate that differs from that dictated by theSys_IMON signal alone. For example, where the information handlingsystem is scheduled to experience greater processing loads soon, the PAUmay be directed to charge at a higher rate, pushing the system powerbudget to closer to a maximum state, in anticipation of the greaterprocessing loads. In another example, the BMC can poll the power usageof various elements of the information handling system and direct thePAU to change a charging rate based upon the power usages. Here, forexample, the BMC may determine that a large portion of the present powerusage is by a processor as compared to other elements of the informationhandling system, and may therefore direct the PAU to charge the powerstorage element at a lower rate because the processor load is moreunpredictable.

In a particular embodiment, the charge rate of a PAU is furtherdetermined based upon an inventory of the elements of the informationhandling system. Here, a BMC maintains an inventory of the elements ofthe information handling system, and further maintains a power budgetfor each element. The BMC then determines a maximum charge rate for thePAU (CR_(Max)) as:

CR_(Max) =P _(Available) −P _(Budget)  Equation 1.

Here P_(Available) is the available power capacity, and is given as:

P _(Available) =ΣC _(PSU)Equation 2

where ΣC_(PSU) is the sum of the capacities of the active PSUs.P_(Budget) is the information handling systems power budget, and isgiven as:

P _(Budget)=CPU+Memory+Storage+Fans+Misc.  Equation 3.

Here, even though the PSU may determine that, based upon the Sys_IMONsignal, the power storage element may be charged at a particular rate,nevertheless, based upon the inventory, the PSU may maintain the chargerate at or below the maximum charge rate CR_(Max).

In another embodiment, the charge rate of a PAU is further determinedbased upon an imposed power cap for the information handling system.Here, the BMC may be provided with a direction to lower the powerconsumption of the information handling system, based upon a datacenterthermal condition, a workload management condition, or the like. Assuch, the BMC can direct the PAU to enforce a lower maximum charge rate(CR_(Max)) in order to lower to total power consumption of theinformation handling system.

For purpose of this disclosure, an information handling system caninclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, aninformation handling system can be a personal computer, a laptopcomputer, a smart phone, a tablet device or other consumer electronicdevice, a network server, a network storage device, a switch router orother network communication device, or any other suitable device and mayvary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. Further, aninformation handling system can include processing resources forexecuting machine-executable code, such as a central processing unit(CPU), a programmable logic array (PLA), an embedded device such as aSystem-on-a-Chip (SoC), or other control logic hardware.

An information handling system can also include one or morecomputer-readable medium for storing machine-executable code, such assoftware or data. Additional components of an information handlingsystem can include one or more storage devices that can storemachine-executable code, one or more communications ports forcommunicating with external devices, and various input and output (I/O)devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. Aninformation handling system can also include one or more buses operableto transmit information between the various hardware components.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions or receives and executes instructions responsiveto a propagated signal; so that a device connected to a network cancommunicate voice, video or data over the network. Further, theinstructions may be transmitted or received over the network via thenetwork interface device.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein. In a particularnon-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium caninclude a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package thathouses one or more non-volatile read-only memories.

Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory orother volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readablemedium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a diskor tapes or other storage device to store information received viacarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information handling system, comprising: apower supply unit configured to provide a power rail to power a load ofthe information handling system, and to provide a constant currentindication that indicates whether the power supply unit is operating ina constant current mode; and a power assist unit coupled to the powerrail, the power assist unit including: a power storage element; aconverter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail;and a controller configured to receive an enable signal when theconstant current indication indicates that the power supply unit isoperating in the constant current mode; wherein, when the controllerreceives the enable signal, the controller is configured to direct theconverter to provide a current to the power rail from the power storageelement to meet an additional demand of the load for power; and wherein,when the controller does not receive the enable signal, the controlleris configured to direct the converter to charge the power storageelement from the power rail.
 2. The information handling system of claim1, wherein: the power supply unit is further configured to provide acurrent level indication to the controller that indicates an amount ofcurrent supplied to the load by the power supply unit; the controller isfurther configured, when the controller does not receive the enablesignal, to determine if the amount of current supplied to the load isgreater than a threshold level based upon the current level indication;and when the amount of current supplied to the load is greater than athreshold level, the controller is further configured to direct theconverter to charge the storage element at a first current level.
 3. Theinformation handling system of claim 2, wherein when the amount ofcurrent supplied to the load is less than the threshold level, thecontroller is further configured to direct the converter to charge thepower storage element at a second current level, the second currentlevel being greater than the first current level.
 4. The informationhandling system of claim 3, wherein: the power assist unit furtherincludes a data interface configured to receive a maximum current levelindication; and when the controller directs the converter to charge thepower storage element at the second current level, the second currentlevel is less than the indicated maximum current level.
 5. Theinformation handling system of claim 4, wherein the maximum currentlevel is based upon an inventory of the elements of the informationhandling system.
 6. The information handling system of claim 5, whereinthe maximum current level is based upon a state in which the informationhandling system is operating.
 7. The information handling system ofclaim 1, wherein the power storage element comprises a supercapacitor.8. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the power storageelement comprises a rechargeable battery.
 9. A method, comprising:providing, by a power supply unit, a power rail to power a load of aninformation handling system; providing a constant current indicationthat indicates whether the power supply unit is operating in a constantcurrent mode; receiving, by a controller of a power assist unit coupledto the power rail, an enable signal when the first constant currentindication indicates that the first power supply unit is operating inthe constant current mode; controlling, by the power assist unit, aconverter of the power assist unit to provide a current to the powerrail from a power storage element of the power assist unit to meet anadditional demand of the load for power when the controller receives theenable signal; and controlling the converter to charge the power storageelement from the power rail when the controller does not receive theenable signal.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receivinga current level indication that indicates an amount of current suppliedto the load by the power supply unit; determining if the amount ofcurrent supplied to the load is greater than a threshold level basedupon the current level indication when the controller does not receivethe enable signal; and directing the converter to charge the storageelement at a first current level when the amount of current supplied tothe load is greater than a threshold level.
 11. The method of claim 10,further comprising: directing the converter to charge the power storageelement at a second current level when the amount of current supplied tothe load is less than the threshold level, the second current levelbeing greater than the first current level.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising: receiving, by a data interface of the power assistunit, a maximum current level indication, wherein, when the controllerdirects the converter to charge the power storage element at the secondcurrent level, the second current level is less than the indicatedmaximum current level.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the maximumcurrent level is based upon an inventory of the elements of theinformation handling system.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein themaximum current level is based upon a state in which the informationhandling system is operating.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein thepower storage element comprises a supercapacitor.
 16. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the power storage element comprises a rechargeablebattery.
 17. A power assist unit of an information handling system, thepower assist unit comprising: a power storage element; a convertercoupled to the power storage element and to a power rail to a load ofthe information handling system; a controller configured to receive anenable signal when a first constant current indication indicates that apower supply unit is operating in a constant current mode, wherein: whenthe controller receives the enable signal, the controller is furtherconfigured to direct the converter to provide a current to the powerrail from the power storage element to meet an additional demand of theload for power; and when the amount of current supplied to the load isgreater than a threshold level, the controller is further configured todirect the converter to charge the storage element at a first currentlevel.
 18. The power assist unit of claim 17, wherein the controller isfurther configured to: receive a current level indication from the powersupply unit that indicates an amount of current supplied to the load bythe power supply unit; determine if the amount of current supplied tothe load is greater than a threshold level based upon the current levelindication when the controller does not receive the enable signal; anddirect the converter to charge the storage element at a first currentlevel when the amount of current supplied to the load is greater than athreshold level.
 19. The power assist unit of claim 19, wherein when theamount of current supplied to the load is less than the threshold level,the controller is further configured to direct the converter to chargethe power storage element at a second current level, the second currentlevel being greater than the first current level.
 20. The power assistunit of claim 19, wherein: the power assist unit further includes a datainterface configured to receive a maximum current level indication; andwhen the controller directs the converter to charge the power storageelement at the second current level, the second current level is lessthan the indicated maximum current level.